South Africa continues to shine on the African aviation scene, with multiple airports receiving top accolades at the Skytrax 2026 World Airport Awards. For travellers, this means cleaner terminals, friendlier staff, and smoother journeys across the country.
The awards ceremony was held at PTE World in London on 18 March 2026. Known as the largest global airport customer satisfaction survey, the World Airport Awards are independent, impartial, and trusted as a benchmark for airport quality. Since 1999, over 575 airports worldwide have been assessed based on customer feedback covering everything from check-in and arrivals to shopping, security, lounges, and boarding.
Cape Town International Airport: Africa’s best for 11th year
For the eleventh consecutive year, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town has been named Best Airport in Africa. Beyond the top ranking, the airport also claimed:
- Cleanest Airport in Africa 2026
- Best Airport Staff in Africa 2026
South Africa dominates Africa’s top airports
Other airports in South Africa also performed strongly in the 2026 rankings:
- #2 Best Airport in Africa: OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg
- #4 Best Airport in Africa: King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban
Regional airports recognised for excellence
South Africa's regional airports also received accolades for quality service and passenger experience:
- #2 Regional Airport: King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban
- #4 Regional Airport: Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha
- #5 Regional Airport: Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein
- #6 Regional Airport: King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London
In addition, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban ranked #10 globally in the 5–10 million passengers category, cementing its status as a rising star for regional travel.
Best Airport Staff and Hotels
Service quality was also a major factor in the survey:
Best Airport Staff in Africa 2026:
- #1 Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town
- #2 King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban
- #3 OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg
Best Airport Hotel in Africa 2026:
- #5 InterContinental Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport, located at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg
What this means for travellers
The World Airport Awards are based on the World Airport Survey questionnaires completed by over 100 nationalities of airport customers during the survey period, which operated from August 2025 to February 2026. The survey evaluated the customer experience across airport service and product key performance indicators – from check in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security / immigration through to departure at the gate.
For travellers planning trips to Africa, the 2026 results highlight a clear trend: South Africa offers some of the continent’s most reliable, clean, and service-oriented airports, making travel smoother and more enjoyable.
Whether you’re flying into Cape Town for a coastal getaway, connecting through Johannesburg, or exploring regional hubs like Durban, Gqeberha, or East London, you can expect a world-class experience from check-in to take-off.
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